Its been over a year since I've gotten hooked to fanfiction. There are some amazing stories out there, some of which surpass the original.

My favorite kind of HP stories are alternate universe stories and stories where Harry actually has a brain. I've been waiting for ages for updates of the following stories:

1) Harry Potter & the Badgers of Hogwarts by Polgarawolf

2) First Steps by stowfords

3) Manipulating Fate by Midnight Star 25

4) Of Immortality and Parallel Universes by Vylos

5) Harry Potter and the Alchemist's Apprentice by Elvenlaughter

6) House of Potter by wilyoldjane

7) Ripples in Time by padfootsrevenger

8) Destiny Stops For No One by Ms-Trixie

9) Partially Kissed Hero by Perfect Lionheart

10) Harry Potter and the Darkness Within bydellacouer

Characters:

Ginny: I can't stand Ginny's character. She's an annoying fangirl who suddenly becomes a major character in the 6th book and there's no explanation as to why Harry suddenly notices her.

Dumbledore: At first, I couldn't bear to read any Dumbledore bashing stories, but there are so many holes in Canon that the only way to resolve to them is introduce a manipulative Dumbledore.

Hermione: Some people have assumed I'm anti-Hermione because of my story, but that's not true. My story is Harry- and Sirius-centric, and therefore she doesn't play a major role here. It's not Harry/Hermione. Not that I'm against those stories, but most of them are poorly written, with Hermione still being a nagging mother to Harry.

Harry: Canon Harry lacks enthusiasm for anything not Quidditch related. He keeps relying on a small selection of spells (Expelliarmus, Stupefy, Impedimenta, Expecto Patronum). The only thing praiseworthy he knows is his Patronus. I can't understand why he doesn't show any interest in learning about this new world he suddenly finds himself in. The best smart Harry stories I've come across are the ones by DisobedienceWriter.

Sirius: I've come across several stories of Harry suddenly gaining super powers or becoming independent. But there are very few stories where Sirius takes charge. Sirius is my favorite character in the series and I was surprised that JKR killed off a character with so much potential.

Keeping in mind the "serious" lack of Sirius-takes-charge stories, I've decided to write my own. At present I'm updating 'Guardian' as soon as I'm satisfied with the quality level of the chapter.

I'd be happy to hear any ideas you might have on what Harry should do once he returns to Hogwarts.

Feb 2010 : I apologise for the lack of updates. Although the next chapter is mostly ready, I'm still not satisified with it. Look's like it will be a while before I post it.

Harry has a great memory, photographic even. He remembers everything even the day he was born. Every sight, sound, smell or touch he remembers with crystal clarity and he has power from the moment he is born. And whats up with Hedwig? All chapters edited for spelling, grammar, and some content. You may want to re-read it.

Some men were born average and went on to live an average life. He was not, had never been, and would never be one of those men. With his ancestry, it was hardly a surprise. Facing off against enemies old and new, very few things could come more naturally to him. No Slash. AU. Dimension Travel with a dash of Time Travel. Darker themes: war, politics, questionable morality, and etc.

Harry was proclaimed dead when he was two years old and ended up in an orphanage. But that was only the beginning of his journey. While trying to find his place in the world of magic, he never forgets those whom he views as family.

Harry's godmother gains custody of a young HP and escapes to America where he learns a new way of magic and carves a new path for himself. Powerful/Independent Harry, eventual slash, OCs, pre-Hogwarts. Reg. updates.

PostHBP HP&SueBones Voldemort miscalculated, granting Harry a victory, but one deeply tainted by loss. Piecing together his shattered Soul, Harry must finish school and step into a society where he wields incredible power, wealth, and responsibility.

Having lost everything the seventh year class decides to go back in time and do it right. This is going to require lots of planning though, because they don't want to be bored by the same time line now do they?

In the station between Life and Death Harry makes a different choice. Now he's eleven again, no one is turning out the same way, the Sorting Hat won't Sort him, the Malfoys are looking at him strangely, and - it's time for another visit.

After his second year, Harry begins to realize Hogwarts isn't everything it could be. Are there other options available? While the Hogwarts characters belong to JK Rowling, the story is obviously outside of canon.

Post HBP. Harry somehow accomplished is destiny, but died. Landing in an other world, where he is 6, have siblings & parents, a world that knows nothing of the horrors of war, he tries to make a difference, but which one?

Harry was rescued from the ruins of the cottage in Godric's Hollow by the family elf. His is raised in seclusion with only the house elf and a ribald portrait for company. Follow Harry as he learns about magic and life outside his sheltered hideaway.

If you are forced to participate in a competition that's reserved for adults only, doesn't that mean you should be considered an adult? Harry gets some much needed help and advice before having some fun by allowing his marauder heritage out to play. H/Hr

Ryan Potter is the boy-who-lived and Harry desperately wants to escape his twin’s shadow. Now thrust into a barbaric world not his own, Harry must fight to survive, as he searches for a way home. Alternate Universe warning. No Pairings.

James Potter would never forget the first time he met Hermione Granger. Nor would he forget just how much he owed her for all she had done for him, his family, his world, and his future. HHr, through the evolving eyes of James Potter. HHr/JPLE

AU: Harry’s turn was the end of his life as a complicated mime trapped in a box. No more was he the naive boy who followed without question; with power and strength comes a realization that Harry didn't need a side. -Vampire-fic - HPLL Non-Slash

Complete. AU. Post-GoF. During his cleaning chores for Aunt Petunia, Harry is sent to clean out the cupboard under the stairs and after Dudley locks him in, he discovers something very odd in the wall that vaults him into another dimension.

One twist, one change in the past can result in an entirely new future. With different allies and ever present enemies, destiny takes hold. A story exploring what effect a different Harry would have on the timeline. A/U

AU. Harry is two years older than canon and raised by Remus. Neville is BWL. Story of Harry's search for knowledge to cure his mother. Snarky characters, witty humor, Quidditch, deeply developed OCs. Harry/Fleur.

All the times Harry could have done things the easy way but didn't. Hello common sense. Rated for safety. No pairings. Chapter 3: Because if you're going to go to a teacher in a crisis why the hell would you pick Lockhart?

The Final Battle is heading south, fast. A last ditch effort is made by the Trio to right the wrongs of the past but things don't go exactly as planned. The problem? Well, they probably shouldn’t have sent Ron. Hufflepuff!Harry HPDG GWDM Hr/?

Left bitter and angry when his female self leaves him, Harry decides he will do anything for revenge. Nobody will stand in his way. Because desperation and anger can turn even the most noblest of hearts into darkness... HarryFemHarry COMPLETE

The plan was perfect. The execution was even better...but they all forgot to consult the Sorting Hat who had its own views. After all, what can you expect from the hat which contains all four founders?

In the days after Sirius falls through the veil, Harry retreats into silence and watches as the scene repeats itself in his mind’s eye. He knows that if he can just understand what was said by those whispering voices, that he could rescue his godfather.

-AU- Reality is ever changing, but Magic will always be. Death is rarely final and the Soul, seldom complete. To become a Guide from a splinter, to have the Spirit to succeed, one thing will always be certain: to Master Death he will need.

Harry is victorious and Voldemort is gone, but not all is as it should be. Thrown into the past Harry takes on the role of James Potter’s long lost cousin and attempts to do the one thing Hermione always warned him about. Is this a second chance or curse?

Time Travel A 30 year old Harry succeeded in fulfilling the prophecy, but there's nothing left to live for. Harry executes a risky scheme, that will have him fighting against fate itself. GreyHarry Independent Powerful Harry Slight Dumbledore Bashing

Harry James Potter, the Boy Who Lived, isn't the son of James and Lily, and Lily wasn't a Muggleborn. Follow what Harry's life would have been like had he been born a Black and raised by Sirius's mother. Major AU alert! Spoilers for all seven HP books.

With the Dark Empire winning the war, Harry finds a mysterious sword. The Sigil of Power allows Harry to burn time, and Harry returns to relive his life. AU with Neville as BWL and Luna as Rose Potter, Harry's twin sister. HPGW

Vague spoilers for PS-HBP. One-shot. James Potter observes as Harry arrives to an alternate dimension where his parents are alive and Neville is the Boy-Who-Lived. Trying to teach old cliches new tricks, here.

Harry won the war against Voldemort but at a terrible price.Fawkes gives him another chance in a new world where he died as an infant and where Voldemort still lurks in the shadows...but not for long, because when one exists the other cannot survive. AU

DONE! Harry has defeated Voldemort, but it was a costly victory. Aberforth Dumbledore presents a plan to go back and kill the infant Riddle, but Harry will have to stay there 10 years. Can Harry alter the wizarding world's destiny? WWII and Grindelwald

PostOotP. The lines between Dark and Light have faded into Grey and Harry must learn to fight for himself...7th year and the war is breaking...Lords, Heirs, Vampires,werewolves, magic and more.No pairings.AU after HBP. COMPLETE

[complete] Sirius comes across a picture of Harry five years into his imprisonment, and decides to see his godson at all costs. But when he finds Harry neglected and abused, he makes a decision that entangles them both in more troubles than ever before